Shōden-in, Buddhist temple in Hidaka, Japan
Shōden-in is a temple at the foot of Mount Koma with multiple historic buildings, including an Amida Hall and a traditional entrance gate. The complex consists of various structures built over the centuries that shape the entire site.
The temple was founded in 751 during the Nara period when Buddhism was spreading across Japan. Later, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted it significant land holdings, which secured its role as an important religious center.
The temple holds nine designated cultural properties, including a bronze bell and wooden statues of Buddhist figures from different periods. These artworks fill the halls and show how the site accumulated religious creations over many centuries.
The temple is walkable from the train station, about 30 minutes from Komagawa Station on the JR Hachiko Line, or around 15 minutes by car from the Sayama-Hidaka Interchange. Visitors should wear good shoes and allow time to explore the grounds at a relaxed pace.
This site is the 26th station on the Musashino 33 Kannon Pilgrimage route, where visitors can follow a spiritual journey. The grounds also hold a memorial tower honoring Korean residents from an earlier time, revealing a lesser-known chapter of the place.
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